Monthly Archives: July 2008

The blogosphere is still a-buzz with tales of Tales of the Cocktail and I must admit I can’t take my mind off it. Since I’m having trouble consolidating and organizing these random thoughts and memories, I thought I’d just throw them all out there. Rick of Kaiser Penguin has already done something very similar with his “Lessons Learned” from Tales of the Cocktail (check it out, it’s hilarious!), so I apologize if I seem like a copycat, but I feel this is the best way of communicating my thoughts. Here goes:

Tales is bigger than I imagined, and seems, unfortunately, to have outgrown the lovely Monteleone.

The food in New Orleans is fantastic, even for people who don’t like spicy or seafood.

The halls of the Bienville House remind me of “The Shining.”

If you are even slightly claustrophobic, do not attend sessions in the Riverview Room. You will be packed in an elevator with 45 others for at least 15 minutes.

If you are a man in New Orleans, you must wear a panama hat.

Bananas Foster is the best creation ever!

On Bourbon Street there are good-looking people and there are topless, body-painted people, but never a combination of the two.

Bloggers are awesome in person.

No one at the Carousel Bar knows how to make a Caipirinha.

New Orleanians don’t have a Southern drawl.

Horses should never be made to wear top-hats.

If you flip an alligator on its back, it will instantly fall asleep.

Making candy out of booze is genius.

You will have to annoy the girls at the registration desk to figure out where your session is.

The Riverwalk is beautiful.

If you’re 22 but look 17 you will not be carded anywhere in New Orleans (except Harrah’s Casino).

People with accents (be it British, Irish, or French) make better Brand Ambassadors.

The Napoleon House is not always open when the sign says it will be. For that matter, neither is Willie Mae’s Scotch House. Call ahead!

Never take a child into a New Orleans souvenir shop.

If you are a blogger, journalist, brand owner, distributor, ambassador, marketing or PR professional, cocktail enthusiast or just plain drunk, YOU CAN’T MISS THIS EVENT!

Last day in New Orleans! I took a break from drinking (believe it or not) to go on an Airboat Swamp Tour. About thirty minutes outside of New Orleans I was able to soak up the sun and see the sights, which included swampy waterways and several alligators.

For the third time, Steve & I attempted to visit the Napoleon House for lunch, but once again it was closed! We’ll have to put it on the list for next year’s adventures. Instead we grabbed a couple Moufalettas and I did a little shopping before heading out to the Wormwood Society Absinthe Soiree.

The Soiree was a great time. It was held at Muriel’s and featured small dimly-lit lounges with absinthe fountains throughout. Attendees included everyone from Gwydion Stoneto Paul Clarke to local absinthe enthusiasts. It was the perfect celebration to end my week in New Orleans. I’m already planning for next year…

Started the day with the best meal I’ve had in New Orleans thus far—breakfast at Brennan’s. Strawberries and Cream, Eggs Portuguese, and Bananas Foster (it’s more dessert than breakfast but it’s delicious!). To top it off, Steve & I enjoyed some great conversation with our guest, Darcy O’Neil who, just like all the other bloggers I was fortunate to meet, was extremely friendly and charming in person.

Next, I made my way over to the “Regional Trends” session with Camper English (though I was late thanks to a lack of elevators!). Took a picture of a lovely cocktail—the Fraser River Sour.

Lunch was at Bourbon House with Gabriel Szaszko, his wife Joana, Steve, and Cort Kinker (of Hiram Walker). Once again, I enjoyed excellent conversation about cocktails, blogging, and New Orleans with some of the nicest people I’ve met.

I was probably still full from lunch when I met Jay Hepburn, Jeffrey Morgenthaler, and Steve for dinner at the world-famous Arnaud’s. I got so swept up in the conversation (about drinks, Tales, blogs, and for awhile there, Annie Hall—Jeff, I swear I’ll see it soon!) that I neglected to comment on the fact that the food was amazing!

After dinner, took a cab over to Harrah’s for the Spirit Awards hosted by Shooter McGavin (Happy Gilmore fans, anyone?). I was impressed by the venue, which featured a “winner’s circle” bar on stage. Nominees and winners were from all over the world and received lots of love from the lively (and probably tipsy) crowd. Just another night in The Big Easy!

Started off the day with a little breakfast at Cafe Beignets before heading over to the Monteleone. Then it was back-to-back sessions for the day starting with Absinthe “Cocktails with a Kick.”

Next was “History of Liqueurs and Cordials” which featured some delicious cocktails and great insight into where the category has been and where it’s headed.

Took a couple laps in the Pernod Ricard tasting room next. The new Hiram Walker products were out including the Gingerbread flavor that will be available soon. To go along with the French theme of the tasting room, they had crepe chefs fixing up delicious treats. But after waiting in line for 15 minutes and being cut by a few guys (chivalry is definetely dead!) I gave up on that dream and headed to the long-awaited Sensory Perception session.

I found out I’m a Super-Taster which basically means most things taste awful to me! No, really, it just means my taste buds are more receptive to flavors, which explains why I can’t stand spicy food, coffee, grapefruit juice, or tonic water. Now, when people call me difficult I can just say I have superior tasting abilities that they wouldn’t understand!

After taking a cab out to the famous Willie Mae’s Scotch House and finding it closed (Damn!), Steve & I headed back to the French Quarter for a tasty dinner at K Paul’s. Took a stroll down Bourbon (yikes!) before calling it a night.

Yesterday was fantastic. I started off with the Molecular Mixology session led by Jamie Boudreau. It was like Halloween for alcoholics-several boozey sweets were handed out and they were delicious! I was worried about where to grab lunch since I don’t do seafood or spicy (I know, I’m in the wrong town), but ended up really enjoying some red beans and rice. I was wowed by Tony Abou-Ganim at the Latino Libations session where I got to talking with a few mixologists from Southern Wine & Spirits. After wandering around the French Quarter, Steve & I landed at the Palace Cafe for a Spirited Dinner with Bar Chefs Paul Clarke (of Cocktail Chronicles) and Jim Meehan (of New York’s PDT). The drinks were like nothing I’d tasted before (I especially enjoyed the Canton Collins) and the Cumin-Crusted Wild Boar was excellent. Finished up the evening at Muriel’s for the Beefeater Jubilee, sipping punch on the verrendah overlooking Jackson Square. Ready for a new day & looking forward to Sensory Perception with Darcy O’Neil this afternoon.

After a long day of travel I’ve finally made it to New Orleans! Started off with a great professional series headed-up by Lauren Clark of DrinkBoston.com. After checking in at my hotel I made my way down to the “Reviving Absinthe” event which was packed with eager Absinthe-tasters. After melting into a puddle of sweat while walking the streets of this steamy city, I had a bite at the Beefeater Welcome Reception and decided to call it a night. I’m going to need a good night’s sleep if I’m going to keep up with New Orleans!

Tomorrow I’m headed to The Big Easy where I will be boozing and schmoozing at the “Tales of the Cocktail” festival till next Monday. Check in often—I hope to be sharing all my experiences by updating here frequently. Always the control freak, I’ve assembled a detailed agenda (which will probably get thrown in the trash once I get there and get pulled in a million different wonderful directions). Here’s what’s on the list (for now anyway):

Wednesday:

2:30- Professional Session: How to Get Your City, Bar, Recipe, or Bartender More Media Coverage

4:30- Professional Session: Emerging Spirits: What’s the Next Big Thing?

5:00- The Green Hour Absinthe Ritual

7:00- Welcome Reception by Beefeater Gin

Thursday:

12:30- Molecular Mixology

2:30- The Scented Trail: Techniques on How to Develop Aroma in Your Cocktails